January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize people who help others grow, lead, or better themselves. Mentors come in many forms, and mentorship can be formal or informal. Someone might not even know that they’ve mentored someone else—and THAT’S why we ask, for a chance to celebrate mentors and their mentees. See Nicky, Jonathan, Ox, Hassan, Donald, Rinaldo and Ismael’s stories of mentorship on our Instagram page.
Mentoring Month at Alliance: Care Management & Community Engagement
National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the role that mentors play in the lives of their mentees. Mentors come in many forms, and at Alliance, there is a cyclical nature of mentorship, where mentees become mentors to others.
Check out our inspiring mentor-mentee pairs from our Care Management, Treatment Adherence, and Community Engagement programs!
LUIS AND MOLLY
Luis Viera told us that his mentor, Molly Kellman, has always been there to provide positive feedback and sound advice during and after his fieldwork. “While working in the office, she always provides the opportunity to assist on important caseloads and also take trainings or certificates.” This has made Luis confident enough to share his story in POZ and for World AIDS Day in AM New York.
Luis Viera
Molly is “amazed by how well he connects with the clients. Luis is incredibly self-motivated and uses his experiences to work with clients and our staff with compassion and empathy.”
DENISE AND IVAN
Denise Jones says her supervisor Ivan Lopez has many great qualities but “the ones that made the biggest impact are that he is respectful, available, and a great listener. He gives honest and direct feedback and I love his nonjudgmental approach that he shows with me and all our clients.”
Ivan began mentoring in 2016 and has been mentoring Denise for over two years. “What started out with just myself and Denise has now grown across several Ryan Clinics and I could not have done it without her compassion and assistance. She at times mentors me in being more patient with myself and continues to be a shining example of professionalism.”
LUIS, EVELYN, and DAYRIN
Luis Velazquez II has grown under the mentorship of Evelyn English. “Ms. English has helped me focus on my writing since my first day with her in 2018. I’ve become confident in writing my reports because of her patience.”
And he adds, “Ms. Vargas has shown is our team lead and values everyone’s input. She has a flair for multitasking, even while on the phone, which has made for interesting conversations.” Luis spoke about how her patience and gentle nature are something program participants often comment on.
And it’s a two-way street. Ms. Vargas feels Luis has grown tremendously since they began working together in October 2019. “Working with Luis is great. He accompanies our clients to the HRA office, provides translation services, assists them with housing needs, and most importantly, they feel COMFORTABLE speaking to Luis. It will be impossible to complete all tasks on time without having Luis as my Peer. I have been blessed.”
SHIRLEY AND ARIANNE
Shirley considers herself fortunate to have Arianne Watson, Director of Outreach and Community Engagement as a mentor. “She motivates and encourages me to acquire new skills in addition to giving sound advice. Thank you, Arianne!”
Arianne (left) with Shirley (right) and Shirley’s grandchildren, who came to multiple Alliance holiday events through the years (pre-pandemic)
Arianne told us that “Shirley is a pleasure to be around. She is gentle, kind, and joyous to everyone she meets. She strives to be a positive role model by continuing her education, attending trainings, and absorbing as much knowledge as possible.”
DONALD AND SAMUEL
Donald Ensley called Samuel Rodriguez “my mentor for the last ten years and like a father figure, friend, confidant, and very supportive. I have learned and have matured in ways I thought couldn’t be possible, thanks to the support and direction of my mentor, Samuel.”
Samuel recalls how Donald has grown over the years. “Donald at first was so quiet and would check in with me before he did anything. I told Donald that I wanted him to come up with the topic for the group. He would come up with a topic and I would ask him questions on how he would start the group and how he would keep the group going. It took some time but Donald now runs our Treatment Chat group every Tuesday, by himself.”
“Donald now makes decisions and can run the Pharmacy Access Center by himself, without second-guessing himself. As a Mentor, it is a great feeling seeing someone grow and become independent. But as a mentor, you need to be open because Peers have so much information and they definitely help you do your job. They know how things are run, here at Alliance. One has to be able to listen to the Peers - so it has become a win–win!”
Mentoring Month at Alliance: Women’s Health + Prevention Services
National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the role that mentors play in the lives of their mentees. Mentors come in many forms, and at Alliance, there is a cyclical nature of mentorship, where mentees become mentors to others.
Check out our inspiring mentor-mentee pairs from Alliance’s Women’s Health and Prevention Services Programs.
NICKY AND ERIN
Naysika (Nicky) Bravo has been an Alliance Peer for years, helping clients get to medical appointments, and secure housing, even over the pandemic. She met Dr. Erin McKinney-Prupis through Alliance’s Peer Program over five years ago. They both are part of a team that mentors and supervises the women’s program Peers and both Nicky and Erin observe to have learned so much from working with each other as they continue to support the mentorship program and each other’s growth.
“Erin is an amazing, smart, caring, humble woman and she always puts her team first, her clients first, and I would be lost without her. She goes above and beyond without question and she has taught me to be a better wife, mother, and Peer. She is always available when I am not too sure of myself and she gives me the push I need to be the best mentor for my client and I am proud to call her my supervisor and mentor.”
We asked Erin what she enjoys about being a mentor and she told us “the most rewarding part of my job is being a mentor for Nicky Bravo. Together we discuss and strategize how to best care for her clients. Hearing the positive changes she helps her clients make and experiencing firsthand her skillset growth is incredible. She teaches me new things and helps me grow as a leader and support person every day!”
And Nicky’s star shines bright in and outside of her work with Alliance program participants. She recently shared her story of Overcoming Obstacles and Living with HIV as part of a Health Divide series on HIV by Verywell Health.
GUY AND ANTHONY
Guy Williams, Director of Prevention, has been mentoring for over 17 years and has learned as much from his mentees that they have learned from him, “Mentorship is the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person.”
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Guy’s mentorship is Anthony Romano, who works with Guy’s Prevention Services team. “I could never imagine the amount of support that one individual could give to another person. During the lockdown, I couldn't think of having another mentor/supervisor like Guy Williams. He was always a true leader, always listening and making me feel like we are equal. Taking my ideas and putting them to fruition,” said Anthony.
The mutual respect these individuals have for each other is just another reason why mentorship is so important at Alliance. “I like to think we’ve been a home for Anthony and other people in the community, and a way for them to help other people,” said Guy.
Anthony Romano and Guy Williams.
Mentoring Month at Alliance: Peer Services
National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the role that mentors play in the lives of their mentees. Mentors come in many forms, and at Alliance, there is a cyclical nature of mentorship, where mentees become mentors to others.
Check out our inspiring mentor-mentee pairs from Alliance’s Peer Program!
STEPHEN, WAVERLY, and ARDITH
Stephen had been at Alliance for years when Waverly transitioned from working in Client Services to the Peer training program. “I met Mr. Williams during the transition period. At the time I was a mentor for roughly 25 Peers and realized that I needed to spend more time on the 4th Floor in the dedicated Peer area. It was important to have the Peers get to know me, place a name with the face. Non-profit work was new to me. Mr. Williams shared his lived experiences with me, validated me and my expertise with the Peers who may have been a bit apprehensive to open up, and work with me at the time since I was the new guy.”
Stephen speaks powerfully about Waverly as an exceptional Alliance mentor. “His mentorship is based on trust, confidentiality, mutual respect, accountability, and sensitivity. He is a great role model. Listening to Waverly talk about the benefits of continued education as he returned to school encouraged me to obtain my GED. Having him as a mentor has changed my life, personally and professionally.”
Stephen Williams
It is apparent that Stephen and Waverly both inhabit the roles of mentor for one another. “He supported me as I tried to introduce new ideas and practices to the existing structure in Peer Services,” Waverly said. “In exchange, I offered him an ear when he needed it, more structured and consistent supervision, and performance evaluations.”
Both Stephen and Waverly have served as mentors to countless Alliance Peers, program participants, and staff, like Ardith Cornelius, who told us, “Mr. Williams has inspired me in many ways and I cannot thank him enough. He is so inspiring, encouraging, and kind. I thank you from the depths of my heart.”
Ardith also called Waverly a compassionate and encouraging role model and “a great source of information and support for some personal situations that I was going through.” As a Peer Worker and a member of the Peer Alumni committee, Waverly feels that “she's a very special individual. I try to make space for all of the Peers that find benefit in my support and seek it out, but with Ardith, it's deeper.”
ERIC AND MS. JOYCE
Peer Services supports the transition of Peers to paid work across Alliance programs. And many Peers, like Eric Ramos, are hired for their exemplary work in the Peer program. He asked that we recognize Joyce Myricks as a born leader, wonderful mentor, and trustworthy friend.
“Even with all her duties as the lead facilitator of PREP, she always has time to check in with me both professionally and personally. At the start of the pandemic and the loss of family and friends, she kept me encouraged and helped me through my grief.
“Ms. Joyce has always provided me wise advice and diplomatic direction, especially my first cycle on the PREP team. She always goes above and beyond when it comes to encouraging many other Peers. I am lucky to have had Ms. Joyce during my time as a student in PREP Cycle 50 and also to have her as a mentor. She proves each and every day that one person truly can make a big difference.”
Eric and Joyce
Ms. Joyce thinks that “the role of the Mentor at Alliance and specifically with PREP, is to be a good listener and help them map out their road to work. We all bring our behaviors from the environments we've been in. New Peers are trying to make changes in their lives and don't necessarily have strong existing support systems, so I like to establish and maintain overt lines of communication.”
A graduate of PREP herself—cycle 31, taught by none other than Stephen Williams—she could tell right away that Eric was smart and empathetic but experienced anxiety due to tremendous responsibilities he was carrying in various parts of his life. “He had a lot of self-doubt, so over the past couple of years, I tried to go through situations with him as a healthy support system, while retaining a professional relationship. Our relationship was built on my willingness to always listen to him, at times when he was emotionally overwrought. I try to prepare him for any potentially triggering situation, and help him understand how to pause, and just consider all his choices, and how he can make ones that will help him. I've tried to identify times and situations where he can take on more responsibilities in a way that I think will help him grow.”
Eric feels she has done a great job there.
Mentoring Month at Alliance: LES Harm Reduction Center
National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the role that mentors play in the lives of their mentees. Mentors come in many forms, and at Alliance, there is a cyclical nature of mentorship, where mentees become mentors to others.
Check out our inspiring mentor-mentee pairs from Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center!
Floyd Mitchell, Harm Reduction Assistant Manager at Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center, gained his knowledge by simply accepting the journey. He has been in this field since 1988 at the height of the AIDS epidemic, and his knowledge has helped dozens—probably hundreds—of people along their path.
Celeste Callender started volunteering with the organization in September 2011 when the organization was called the AIDS Service Center. She graduated from PREP (cycle 35). Having a history of substance use, she began volunteering at and frequenting Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center when it merged with Alliance. She would make and distribute kits and even help out in the kitchen. She took dozens of trainings, where she met LESHRC staff including Floyd, Perla Romero, and others.
"Just talking to Mr. Mitchell I learned so much, his knowledge is so worldly,” said Celeste. “When I shared my experiences, he was like 'oh you used to live here, I know exactly where that is'...I felt so safe opening up to him about all things, he gave me so much advice, he's been where I've been, he's a mentor....he won't say it but he is the man!"
Celeste spoke of both Floyd’s intellectual and emotional intelligence, and how that has helped her grow, and Floyd could only say the same about his mentees.
“[My mentees] inspire me because I get to watch them work through painful moments and yet they get up and go about their day, and sometimes it helps me to get up and do the work,” said Floyd. “There is nothing like helping someone help themself and save someone's life. Sometimes it happens so quickly that you don’t understand or notice that someone was on the brink of expiring, and you had a part in helping them.”
Celeste Callender
Perla Romero, Outreach & Linkage to Care Senior Manager is, among many other things, the hepatitis C group Coordinator in Prevention Services. Over the past four years, she has invited and encouraged Celeste to realize her own power as a leader, co-facilitating the hepatitis C group.
“Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center has always had a homey feel, and in-person groups were important to restore that. Celeste has been a leader in the hepatitis C group that I supervise. She has really grown and taken ownership of the group, and it's been our group with the most consistent participation since we resumed in-person meetings, and that's because of Celeste and our other Peer leaders.
“Celeste’s been an important part of that team that we need to rely on during this time,” she added. “She used to be more hesitant to speak up but now she's blossomed into a leader.”
“I felt like I was one of them, I fit in, and after listening to me sharing my experiences, it clicked, and I felt like I have a lot of information and I'm very resourceful,” said Celeste.
According to Floyd, Celeste is very cognizant of the fact that substance use counseling and harm reduction counseling are not always the same thing. Not everyone is seeking sobriety, some are just trying to live their life safely. “Celeste makes time to discuss with people about harm reduction and she always is patient and eager to have these conversations.”
"Pre-pandemic, Perla and others saw something in me and asked me to speak on the phone with clients and check in on their physical and mental health needs, they entrusted me with a client list all throughout COVID-19 and helped me write reports. I didn't know the administrative work, but they helped me understand it,” said Celeste.
She used to be shy and reluctant to speak, she is now verbal and chooses to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
“It has been amazing watching Celeste work through painful moments and decide to get up and go about her day,” said Floyd. "I have learned from her to persevere and continue to do the work that you want to do."